GOP MS House Speaker, Other State Reps Test COVID+

Mississippi Today reports:

The Mississippi Legislature, finishing a historic stretch last week where it voted to replace the state flag to remove the Confederate battle emblem from its design, now faces a new challenge as members are testing positive for the coronavirus.

On Sunday, House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton confirmed that he has contracted COVID-19, as did at least one other member of the House. Rep. Robert Johnson of Natchez, the House Democratic leader, said he had heard about five members of the House have tested positive.

“Last week I was in close proximity to an individual, one of our House members who has tested positive, so I felt like I needed to go get myself tested just because I had been near that person and this morning was informed that I too have tested positive for COVID,” said Gunn.

Gunn last appeared on JMG in 2016 when he authored a sweeping bill that would have legalized discrimination against LGBT citizens. Gunn is the first GOP speaker of the Mississippi House since 1876.